What people are saying

“Real world practical, motivational, inspiring, impressively organized and presented, Fact & Fiction is an ideal introduction for the inexperienced, novice beginner who is aspiring to turn their life experiences and family histories into novels that are compelling, engaging, and entertaining reads from start to finish, and which can be unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community library fiction collections. Fact & Fiction is an ideal and strongly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university library writing/publishing collections and supplemental creative writing curriculum studies lists.”
—Midwest Book Review“

Constance Hays Matsumoto’s enlightening writing guide Fact & Fiction is about outlining, researching, writing, and reshaping historical novels. Following the writing process from the inception of an idea through composition, revision, and editing, this guide for first-time novelists is clear and comprehensive. . . Covering the integral elements of novel writing, Fact & Fiction is an attentive writing guide for those working in the historical novel genre.”
—Foreword Clarion Reviews

Editorial Praise

“[Fact & Fiction is] the first craft book aimed at people fictionalizing a grandmother’s internment camp or a great-uncle’s war. It wants that done without a lawsuit or a family feud on the other end. That’s narrower and more useful than “how to write a novel.” It’s underserved. Most craft books treat “based on a true story” as a footnote, not a discipline with its own risks. . . A tool for a real gap: turning inherited history into fiction without flattening the people who lived it. It does the job. Fact & Fiction is recommended for the audience it’s built for: family historians standing where Matsumoto once stood, staring at a blank page that used to be someone’s life.”

—San Francisco Book Review

"Matsumoto helps readers pen polished and compelling historical fiction with this scintillating writing guide. . . This soup-to-nuts primer effectively boils down the mechanics of writing—and some of its artistic niceties—into clear, concise principles, complete with handy tables and diagrams for quick reference. Matsumoto’s elegant, pithy prose deftly balances analysis of aesthetics and feeling with concrete explanations and examples. . . Neophytes will find this an invaluable introduction to creative writing, and even seasoned authors will learn a trick or two. A revelatory how-to, blending deep insights with useful, hands-on advice."

–Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Read feature here.

voices from the writing community

  • "Whether you're a newbie writer or an experienced author, Fact & Fiction by Connie Matsumoto is an invaluable guide to crafting historical fiction from family history. Filled with clear, practical examples that illuminate every step of the process, this engaging how-to belongs on every writer's bookshelf as both an inspiring resource and a trusted reference. Connie's humility and expert communication skills come across in Fact & Fiction. I'll be returning to this book countless times for inspiration and instruction."

  • "Connie Matsumoto shares lessons learned from writing her own first novel. Practical, down to earth, without minimizing the challenge she provides abundant encouragement. ‘Here’s the good news, once I started and kept writing, my writer’s voice found me...in my heart from where the best writing flows.’ The author’s conviction and kindness combine to make Fact & Fiction a warm, informative companion for new writers."

  • "Fact & Fiction is a supremely useful reference book for writers of historical fiction, with a particular strength in its guidance for new writers wishing to preserve precious family memories. Matsumoto brings creativity, research skills, and organizational acumen to the page and offers detailed research advice, plotting strategies, and goal-setting structures that will take readers from brainstorming to finished book. Aspiring and experienced authors alike will be drawn in by Matsumoto's approachable style and inspired by her intelligent advice. A must-read for writers who are ready to make their book a reality!"

  • "Fact & Fiction: How to Write a Novel Inspired by Family and History is an excellent guide for writers seeking to turn family history into compelling fiction. Clear, well-organized, and encouraging, it offers expert guidance on research, structure, and storytelling, enriched by insights from both the author and renowned writers. A practical handbook and enduring resource, this is a book writers will return to again and again."

  • "Fact & Fiction is a great companion piece to Of White Ashes and breaks down the intricacies of Connie's launching pad, history. She details the treasures of history that fuel story, including the ever-alluring rabbit holes, and how they can inspire creativity. Connie outlines great research tools, both in person and online, and the plethora of sources you can find to fuel the fire of your historical world come to life."

  • "Writing a novel inspired by family history can be a daunting endeavor, but Matsumoto is able to demystify the process by providing a valuable roadmap of the challenging terrain. Fact & Fiction is chock-full of useful tips for architecting, crafting, and polishing your manuscript, enabling authors to push through those inevitable frustrating occurrences of writer’s block."

  • "This thorough, instructive, and inspiring book is not only a compelling read, it will motivate writers who have been reluctant to start through its structure and expert organization."

  • "Using her own experience of writing Of White Ashes, a beautiful historical novel based on a remarkable family story, Connie Matsumoto has written a clear and helpful guide for first time writers with their own story in need of telling. Her personal wisdom and templates of how to complete research, organize material, and turn that material into a moving and well-structured narrative, provide exceptional guidance from beginning to end. But most of all, what sets this book apart is her bright enthusiasm and clever humor, bound to make any writing project feel attainable, exciting, and worth all the work necessary to attain it."

  • "Fact & Fiction is a readable, practical, comprehensive guide to finishing a book project. It offers extensive frameworks and warm encouragement for the long haul that is writing. This book shows you not just how to write, but also how to be a writer. I’ll return to Constance Hays Matsumoto’s wisdom for years to come."

  • "Constance Matsumoto’s Fact & Fiction fuses disciplined project management with a spark for profound creativity. This essential guide enables writers to revive the past with emotional depth and vivid authenticity. A phenomenal undertaking!"

  • "Of White Ashes is a terrific first novel, rich in art and heart, and with Fact & Fiction, Connie Matsumoto shows you the craft behind the creativity and the comprehensive, methodical work that's essential to creating first-rate fiction. Fact & Fiction is a breezy, collaborative guide, a close friend talking craft with you over cookies and coffee, and its hard-won wisdom will linger."

  • "How-to books can be a big yawn, but Fact & Fiction by Connie Matsumoto is a cleverly drafted book, jam-packed with excellent information about writing historical fiction, while remaining fresh and entertaining. Writers beginning their first, second, or third projects will definitely benefit. More experienced writers will also find gems of advice. Simply put, the book is an exclamation point, a smile, and a teardrop."